Permutation lock



May 3, 1949. G. R; s.

Filed May 5l, 1945 FISHER 2,468,967v

PERMUTATION LOCK 7 sheets-sheet 1 46 4896/: 45a na4 657/76 Inventor lAltprney/ May 3, 1949. G. R. L. s. FISHER 2,468,967

PERMUTATION LOCK Y 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3l, 41945 4e 4,9@ H66. L

forge/ELS. ...A4-5f lr Inventor 7 VAttorney May 3, 1949. G. R. L. s.FISHER v 2,468,967

PERMUTATION LOCK Filed May 3l, 1945 A 7 SheetS--Sheefll 3 orney lMay 3,1949. G. R. L. s. FISHER 2,468,967

PERMUTATION LOCK Atto ey May 3, 1949. G, R, L. S, FlSHER I 2,468,967

PERMUTATION LOCK Filed May 5l, 1945 l 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 BAL v 69a 9b M2 mA Harney May 3, 1949- G. R. s. FISHER l 2,468,967

PERMUTATION LOCK Filed May 3l, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I 'Altornjy/ May3, 1949. G. R. s. r'lsH,r-:R v 2,468,967

l PERMUTATION LOCK Filed May 3l, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 bv, ,K1122257??- Patented May 3, 1949 PERMUTATION Loox George RowelandLovelace Semple Fisher, Pendock, Staunton, England Application May 31,1945, Serial No. 596,880 In Great Britain June 6, 1944 7 Claims.

This invention relates to permutation locks of the type wherein one ormore rings bearing indicia are rotatable about an axis coincident withthe axis of a bolt so that when said rings are turned into apredetermined position the bolt may be displaced axially to effectunlocking.

One object is to provide a permutation lock suitable for a variety ofuses such as the securing oi a spare wheel to an automobile body, thelocking of a manual control leverl such as a Vehicle hand brake, and thelike.

Another object is the provision of a lock structure suitable forpadlocks and the like.

A further object is to enable the unlocking permutation to be changed atwill by the owner or authorised user of a permutation lock.

A still further object is to render the process of attempting to effectunlocking by feel or sound substantially impossible or highly wastefulof time.

According to the present invention, in a permutation lock of the typehaving a plurality of indicia bearing rings acting in conjunction with.

a plurality of members, in the form of balls to provide locking meansfor a bolt, a plunger is axially displaceable relative to the rings tomove the balls clear of notches on the internal peripheries of the ringswhen the releasing permutation is selected so that said rings may befreely rotated to impart a new releasing permutation to the lock.

By providing a plunger displaceable axially to move the balls axiallyclear of notches on the internal peripheries of the indicia bearingrings and accommodating the balls in slots in a flange.

on said plunger or by providing a means for the bolt to be displaceableaxially to cause radial disengagement of the balls from the notches andaccommodating the balls in radial recesses, said rings may be displacedrelative to the balls.

A dust cap is adapted to cooperate with an additional locking meanswhereby unlocking can only be eiected when Said indicia are covered.

By providing a spring loaded p-in adapted to be engageable in a radialbore in the bolt, the additional locking means may be constituted due topressure from the dust cap on to said spring loaded pin. The said dustcap may be cylindrical and moving in guides coaxially with the bolt.

The invention will be more particularly described, with reference to theaccompanying drawing showing automobile spare wheel and brake locks, byway of example.

v In the drawing-f- Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of one form 2y. of lock constructed according to my invention an particularly suitedto securing a wheel of an automobile to a bracket attached to the bodyof the automobile.

Figure l is a view in cross section of the lock shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly broken out and sectioned on the lineAB of Fig. 2, designed to show details of a ratchet assembly.

Figure 4 is a view in end elevation of a bolt such as is used in thelock shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

b Figure 5 is a View in side elevation of the said Figure 6 is a view inend elevation of a front guide such as is used in the lock shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 7 is a view in vertical section of the said front guide.

Figure 8 is a view in vertical section of an outer guide such as is usedin the lock shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3.

Figure 9 is a view in end elevation of the said outer guide.

Figure 10 is a view in end elevation of a spacer ring such as is used inthe lock shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 11 is a View in vertical section of the said spacer ring.

Figure 12 is a view in side elevation of an indicia bearing ring such asis used in the lock shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 13 is a view in end elevation of the said indicia bearing ring.

Figure 14 is a View in vertical section of the said indicia bearingring.

Figure 15 is a View in end elevation of a plunger such as is used in thelock shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 16 is a view in side elevation ofthe said plunger.

Figure 17 is a view in elevation of a case such as is used in the lockshown in Figs. l, 2 `and 3.

Figure 18 is a view in vertical section of the said case.

Figure 19 is' a view in elevation of a dust cap such as is used in thelock shown in Figs. 1, 2

and 3.

Figure 20 is a view in end elevation of the saidv Figure 22 is a planView of the lock shown in Fig. 21.

Figure 23 is a View in end elevation of the lock shown in Fig. 21,partly broken out and sectioned.

Figure 24 is a view in vertical section of a case such as is used in thelock shown in Fig. 2l.

Figure 25 is a View in end elevation of the said case.

Figure 26 is a plan View of the said case.

Figure 27 is a View in elevation partly sectioned of a plunger bolt suchas is used in the lock shown in Fig. 21.

Figure 28 is a View in end elevation of the said plunger bolt.

Figure 29 is a plan View of the said plunger bolt.

Figure 30 is a View in side elevation of an indicia bearing ring such asis used in the lock shown in Fig. 21.

Figure 3l is a view in end elevation of the said indicia bearing ring.

Figure 32 is a View in Vertical section of the said indicia bearingring.

Figure 33 is a view in vertical section of an end guide such as is usedin the lock shown in Fig. 21.

Fig-ure 34 is a View in end elevation of the said end guide.

Figure 35 is a View in vertical section of a spacer ring such as is usedin the lock shown in Fig. 2,1.

Figure 36 is a view in end elevation of the said spacer ring.

Figure 37 is a View partly in vertical section showing details of thesaid lock attached to one particular form of brake control.

Figure 38 is a View partly in elevation of the assembly shown in Fig.37.

Figure 39 is a View partly in vertical section showing details of thesaid lock attached to another particular form of brake control.

Figure 40 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section of theassembly shown inA Fig. 39.

The drawings show two forms of lock illustrative of my invention.Referring in the rst instance to the one lock shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3it may be seen that this lock comprises a case generally designatedA 4lto which is secured a front guide 42 and. an outer guide 43 thus forminga rigid casing to contain the lock mechanism. A slot 42a in the frontguide and a slot 43a in the outer guide are in line when the casing isthus assembled. A dust cap 44 is disposed around the case 4I and movesin guides formed by lateral flanges 42h and 43h on the periphery of thefront guide and outer guide respectively. This dust c aphas ends 44a and44h.

Within the casing of the lock are positioned a spacer ring 45, twoindicia bearing rings 46 and Handl a plunger 48' all coaxial with a bolt49 which passes into the casing of the lock through an axial bore 42o inthe front guide and an axial bore 45a in the spacer ring and whichlocates in a counterbore 43e in the outer guide. The spacer ring 45 islocated intermediate the two indicia bearingrings 46 and 47. The bolt 49is provided with an axial bore Maand longitudinally recessed to presenta radial slot 49h. The plunger 48"is,positioned with plunger body 48a.within the bore 49a of the bolt 49 and is held normally with a shoulder48h against the end'of the counterbore 43e` in the outer guide Vby meansof a spring 50'1actingbetweenthe end of a counterbore 43d and the kundersuriacevof a domed cap l-which is screwed to the end of a-.shankc on'the-*plunger passing through an axial bore 43e in the outer guide. Aradial iiange 48d on the plunger passes through the radial slot 49D inthe bolt 49 and engages in the slot 42a, the slot 43d and a Slot 45h inthe spacer ring 45, this spacer ring and the bolt i9 thereby beingprevented from rotating. It will be seen that depression of the cap 5lagainst the spring 5l) will cause an axial displace ment of the plunger48, theV amount of displacement being governed by the length of the slotd20, in the front guide. This action is for a purpose later to bedescribed.

The indicia bearing ring has lateral iianges 46a and 4Gb and theseengage over a lateral ange 42d on the front guide and a lateral flange45e on the spacer ring thereby enabling the indicia bearing ring torotate coaxially with the bolt 49. The internal periphery of the indiciabearing ring has sixteen notches 45C and a ball 52 lies in a peripheralgroove 45e on the bolt 49 and within one of these notches, beingconstrained from movement parallel to the bolt axis by face 42e of thefront guide and the face 45d of thev spacer ring and occupying with aminimum of play the space between the groove in the bolt and the notchin the indicia bearing ring. It will be seen therefore that as theindicia bearing ring. 46 is rotated the ball 52 will be carried aroundthe groove in the bolt 49, a slot 48e allowing the ball to pass throughthe flange 48d on the plunger.

Another ball 53 'is controlled in a like manner by the indicia bearingring 41 rotating between the spacerring 45 and the outer guide 43.

It will be seen that when the indicia bearing rings 4t and il arerotated so as to bring the balls 52 and 53 into alignment-J opposite theslot 45h in the bolt, the position as shown in Fig. 1, the bolt maybewithdrawn axially from the lock. When either or both of the two ballsare in any position other than opposite the slot in the boltv then itwill be seen that the bolt may not be withdrawn from the lock.

A ratchet mechanism comprising a spring 54 and the balls 55 and 56located in a slot 45e in the spacer ring 45', the two balls engaginginthe radial grooves 45d and 41d of the indicia bearing rings 45 and 47,is included in the lock for the primary reason of holding the twoindicia bearing rings in position when the bolt is withdrawn thuskeeping the two balls 52 and 53 constrained within the two slots 48e and48j of theplunger flange.

The ratchet, however. fullls two further purposes. Should thelock beused under conditions wherein it is subject to vibration the indiciabearing rings will be prevented from rotating and thus possibly freeingthe bolt. Further the clicks of the ratchet as the indicia bearing ringsare rotated will tend to confuse any effort on the part of any personnot. aware of the correct releasing permutation o the lock to releasethe lock by'rotating each indicia bearing ring in turn and listening fora possible'click as each ball comes opposite the slot in the bolt.

For the purpose of xing any required combination for theloclr theindicia bearing rings 45 and 'lare provided with indicia on their external periphery so arranged that when any indicium is opposite a markwhich may be provided on the external periphery of the spacer ring 45 acorresponding notchv on the internal periphery. off' the indicia bearingring 45 is opposite the slot 49h in the bol-t. rThese indicia arevisible through an aperture 41a in theca'se' 4|; which aperturealsogives .access forV manipulating` the indicia bearing rings, manipulationbeing assisted by the grooves 46e parallel to the axis on the externalperiphery of the indicia bearing rings.

An additional locking device is incorporated in this lock as a furtherprecaution against the lock being tampered with and opened by any personnot fully .conversant with the mechanism and this device operates inconjunction with the dust cover d4. In order to manipulate the indiciabearing rings the dust cover must be rotated sokthat the gap between theends 44a and 441) is located over the aperture 41a in the case. When inthis position a locking pin 51 operating in a radial bore 45j and acounterbore 45g of the spacer ring is depressed against a light spring Sby the dust cap bearing on a shank 51a which is located in a radial bore4 tb in the case t I. When thus depressed the tip of the locking pinengages a radial bore 49d in the bolt. It will thus be seenl that evenif the indicia bearing rings are manipulated to the correct releasingpermutation the bolt may not be withdrawn until the dust cap has beenclosed, i. e. until either of the ends 44a or 54h has passed clear ofthe shank of the locking pin thus allowing the spring 58 to return thelocking pin to its normal position with the tip withdrawn inside thebore 5f of the spacer ring. When the dust cap is again rotated in orderto operate the lock the locking pin 51 is automatically depressed as oneof the ends Mia or 44h of the dust cap passes over the shank 51a.

In order to alter the releasing permutation of the lock slots 42j and45h are provided in the front guide and spacer ring respectively.

By depressing the cap 5| against the spring 56 as previously describedthe plunger i8 will be displaced axially, and if the lock is set at itsreleasing permutationthe balls 52 and 53, which will be located in theslots 56e and 48j of the plunger, will be carried into the slots 42j and65h. With the cap 5l held depressed the indicia bearing rings 46 and 41vmay then be rotated to any desired setting, and on releasing the capthe plunger i8 will be returned to its normal position by the spring 56and the balls 52 and 5t will be repositioned in different notches in thetwo indicia bearing rings according to the releasing permutation chosen.

In Fig. 1 the lock is shown in this specific instance as securing thespare wheel of an automobile by the bolt passing through a hole in abracket 59, which may be attached to the automobile body, and a hole 66which may be in the wheel disc.

Referring now especially to Figs. 21, 22, 23, 37 and 38 the second lockmay be seen to comprise a case generally designated 6l in which arepositioned two indicia bearing rings 62 and 66, a spacer ring 64intermediate the two indicia bearing rings, an end guide 65 which issecured to the case. It will be seen that the two indicia-bearing ringsmay rotate coaxially in a manner similar to that previously describedfor the lock shown in Fig. 1 against a ratchet comprising a spring 66and two balls 61 and 68 located in an axial slot 65a in the spacer ring.The indicia bearing rings have grooves parallel to the axis on theirexternal periphery and are visible through an aperture Gla in the lease.In this lock the spacer ring is provided with a flat 64b which affordseasier manipulation of the indicia bearing rings.

A plunger bolt 69 operates in the coaxial bores SIb, 64e and counterbore 65a of the case, spacer ring and end guide respectively; twoperipheral grooves 69a and 69h accommodating two balls 10 and 1l,located in notches on the internal periphery of the indicia bearingrings 62 and 63.

The plunger bolt is longitudinally recessed to present a groove 69ethereby permitting the plunger bolt to be'displaced axially when the twoballs are brought into alignment opposite the groove. This groove alsoengages with a lug 6I'c in the bore 61h of the case 6| and a lug 64d inthe bore 64o of the spacer ring 64 and thus prevents rotation of theplunger bolt and the spacer ring within the case.

The diametrical bore Bld of the case engages over a lever 12 of a handbrake control and the plunger bolt 69 locates in an aperture 12a. Whenthe lock is closed the tip 69d of the plunger bolt engages a recess 13ain a lever 13 which operates the brake ratchet and so prevents the leverfrom being depressed in order to free the brake.`

If the indicia bearing rings of the lock are rotated to the releasingpermutation the plunger bolt is free to move axially against a spring 14and thus allow the rod 13 to be depressed and the brake released. Thespring 14 ensures that the tip of the plunger bolt re-engages with therecess in the brake lever when the brake control has been set at anydesired position and the brake ratchet released.

To provide means for altering the releasing permutation of the lockradial recesses 69e and 69j are provided in the axial groove 690 of theplunger bolt. When the lock is set at its releasing permutation and theratchet rod 13 is depressed the plunger bolt will, as previouslydescribed, be displaced axially against spring 14. The radial flange 69gat the head of the shank 69h of the plunger bolt will now protrudeoutside the casing of the lock through the axial bore 5517 in the endguide 65. If the shank is now withdrawn still further by hand the balls10 and il will fall into the recesses 69e and 69j and the indiciabearing rings may be rotated to any desired releasing permutation. Onreleasing the plunger bolt the balls will be forced back into normalposition in notches in the indicia bearing IIIIgS.

Figs. 39 and 40 indicate the type of lock just described used inconjunction with another type or handbrake control.

In this application the lock case 6I is swingably connected to a lever15 by means of a lug 65e. An extension 691' of the plunger bolt 69 isswingably connected to a control lever 16 which operates the brakeratchet through a rod 11. When the lock is closed the plunger bolt 69and hence the extension 691' is fixed so prevents axial displacementthereof, which in turn prevents the brake from being released.

The releasing permutation may be altered by setting the lock at itsreleasing combination and axially displacing the plunger bolt againstthe spring 14 by means of the lever 16 until the balls 16 and 1l fallinto the recesses 69e andgf then the indicia bearing rings may berotated to any desired permutation. On releasing the lever 16 theplunger bolt will return to its normal position under the influence ofthe spring 14, and hence the balls will be forced back into normalposition in notches in the indicia bearing rings. The recesses 69e and69j may be placed in a position so that under normal operation of thebrake the plunger bolt will not be axially moved to the extent requiredfor altering the permutation.

The permutation lock of the two types described thus includes a -hollowbody for case 4l or :6l 1an-d `at least two indicia bearing rings 46 and.41 -or 62 and 63 respectively, rotatably mounted in spaced relationshipon the body and lnotohed, for example, at 46c and Mc; a bolt 119 or -69adapted to be received within the body, the lbolt being peripherallygrooved at 49e or 99a and 6917, one groove to each ring andlongitudinally :recessedat 49h or 69o, the recess intersecting the.respective yperipheral grooves; means to support :the balls whenalignedWith the recess independently of the bolt, the dimensions being suchthat the bolt can only be withdrawn when the rings ,have been rotatedtoa position wherein their infdicia present the selected releasingpermutation `due `to at least one of the balls of the pairs 52 and 153or it and 'll engaging against its corresponding groove in otherpositions of the ring. .The improveinentzW-hereby -reselection of thereleasing permutation maybe effected consists in .means to accommodatethe two balls each in a position Vclear oi its corresponding ring except`when `the two balls have been simultaneously :aligned to ypermitrelease of the bolt.

It is to be understood ythat the above described :embodiments of myinvention are for the pur- ;poseof illustration only and various changesmay :be `made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I declare that-what I claim is:

1. `A permutation lock of the type referred to comprising a hollow body;a number of rings .bearing indicia and having their inner peripherynotched, rotatable with respect to said body; a

.bolt peripherally grooved, one groove to each ring, and axiallygrooved, the axial groove running into each peripheral groove; a numberof balls, one ball to each ring; spacing means be- -tween adjacentindicia bearing rings; a number of .means intermediate the rings and thebolt adapted each to constrain a single ball the diam- ,eter of whichsubstantially occupies the full space .between the bottom of a grooveinthe bolt and the bottom of one oi the notches in the rings;

,a dustcap mounted for rotation about said body tand having an openingthrough which part or" said rings may be exposed; and meansdisplaceable'by said dust cap to effect additional locking when saidrings are exposed.

2. A permutation lock of the type referred to r .comprising a hollowbody; a number of rings A.bearing indicia and having their innerperiphery .notchedL rotatable with respect to said body; a .bolt axiallybored and peripherally grooved, one groove to each ring; and axiallyslotted, the axial slot intersectingeach peripheral groove and theiaxial bore; a number of balls, one ball to each ring; spacing meansbetween adjacent indicia bearing rings; and an inner bolt slidable inthe ,axial bore and having a radially and axially exftending `flangeextending through said slot said ,flange ybeing recessed to constrain asingle ball the diameter of which substantially occupies the full spacebetween the bolt and each ring in the lunlocked position.

3. A ypermutation loci; of the type referred to comprising a hollowbody; a number of rings bearing indicia and having their inner peripherynotched, rotatable with respect to said body; a

bolt peripherally grooved, one groove to each ring, and axially grooved,an axial groove running into each peripheral groove; a number of balls,one ball to each ring; a number of means intermediate the rings and thebolt adapted-each tofconstrain a `single ball the diameter of whichsubstantially occupies the full space between the bottom of a groove inthe bolt and the bottom of one of the notches in the rings; and means todisplace said ball constraining means axially of the bolt; spring meansadapted to resist such displacement; and means to accommodate .each ballin an offset position relative to said rings to permit of reselection ofa releasing permutation.

4. In a permutation lock of the kind which comprises a hollow body; aplurality of rings each bearing indicia and having a notched innerperiphery, said rings being rotatably mounted Iin spaced relationship onsaid body; a number of balls, one ball to each ring; a bolt adapted tobe received within said body, said bolt being `peripherally grooved, onegroove to each ring, and longitudinally recessed, the recessintersecting said grooves; means to support the balls when with saidrecess independently of the bolt, the dimensions being such that thebolt can only be withdrawn when the rings have been rotated to aposition wherein their indicia present the selected releasingpermutation -due to at least one of the balls engaging against itscorresponding groove in other positions of the rings; the improvementwhereby reselection of the releasing permutation may be effectedconsisting in means to accommodate all the balls each in a positionclear of its corresponding ring when said balls have been simultaneouslyaligned to permit release of the bolt.

5. A permutation lool: as set forth in claim 4 in which said lastmentioned means is to accommodate each ball in an axially of setposition relative to said rings to permit of reselection of a releasingpermutation.

6. A permutation lock as set forth in claim 4 in which said lastmentioned means is to accommodate each ball in a radially oli" setposition relative to said rings to permit of reselection of a releasingpermutation.

7. A permutation lock as set forth in cla-im 4 additionally comprising adust cap mounted for rotation about said body and having an openingthrough which part of said rings may be exposed; and means displaceableby said dust cap to effect additional locking when said rings areexposed.

GEGRGE ROVELAND LOVELACE SEMPLE FISHER.

REFERENCES CTED The followin:r references are of record in the Frey Feb.21, 1933

